In 1.4, we discovered 8 steps we can apply to come out of sufferings resulting from Rebellion Against God. Most especially, we’ve learnt confronting mistakes God’s way helps us grow spiritually.
But wait a minute. Aren’t rebels supposed to Suffer the Consequences of their Actions? What can you benefit as a rebel? How can God bless you for being a rebel?
Let’s put things right, define the context carefully. God’s doesn’t bless rebellion. He uses your rebellious mistakes to build you up spiritually. But on One Condition – if you handle the situation His Way, not your way. You must make this distinction. That’s where most people get everything wrong.
Rebels must pay for their bad deeds. But our Heavenly Father is Merciful. ‘‘…Mercy triumphs over judgement’’ (James 2:13).
Do everything not to fall into temptation as Jesus says in Matthew 26:41. But if it does happen, all hope isn’t lost. You have a valuable opportunity to become a better person provided you handle the situation God’s way and are ready to endure what it takes.
The benefits of confronting rebellion God’s way are:
God Teaches You His Principles In The Process
The Psalmist says, ‘‘Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word’’ (Psalm 119:67). He continues saying, ‘‘It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your status’’ (Psalm 119:71).
You may have to endure serious affliction resulting from your rebellion. But God uses this moment of suffering to teach you what’s right in His eyes. After murdering an Egyptian, Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness learning humility. David discovered more about God’s Love and wrote many Psalms in his days of affliction as a murderer and adulterer.
God Disciplines And Guides You Through Afflictions
The world’s system of justice is already poor. But think of a world without any justice at all. Think of an institution without rules and regulations. Think of a city without traffic signs, rules and regulations. Wouldn’t everything be chaotic?
And what happens when you violate rules in this world? Aren’t you punished? What’s the use of the punishment? Isn’t it to help you live by good moral standards?
Don’t get it wrong. God isn’t waiting for you to rebel in order to guide you. You have the possibility and responsibility to live by His precepts and enjoy internal peace at all times.
God’s reason to let you go through affliction after rebellion isn’t, therefore, out of hatred. He loves you so much and desires only the best for you. Affliction is a way to discipline you. To help you think and act rationally, to help you live by His Standards. ‘‘For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights’’ (Proverbs 3:12).
God Himself Brings The Comfort You Need
No matter the suffering, God’s mercy finds you at some point. David makes an interesting statement at a good old age, ‘‘I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken…’’ (Psalm 37:25). He continues saying, ‘‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all’’ (Psalm 34:19).
Let me just say this: God always shows up when people decide to handle rebellion His way. The people of Nineveh are good examples. So never give up, He’ll come to your rescue. Remain faithful, patiently wait for His relief. God’s relief is billion times better than all compromises.
After You Go Through It, God Uses You To Guide Others
It gets even better. Enduring affliction God’s way makes you wise. Most especially, God can trust you and use you to edify those who make similar mistakes. David says, ‘‘Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You’’ (Psalm 51:12-13).
It’s more than just Comfort you receive from God.
Paul says, ‘‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God’’ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Isn’t this beautiful?
You Come Out Of It Better Than You Got Into It
You can’t learn God’s ways, accept His discipline, receive His comfort and get sufficient wisdom from Him to guide others and remain the same. No, you move to a higher level in life. God makes sure you Grow Spiritually and Physically. He Blesses you with all you need and opens new doors to Glorify His Name.
David became king again with greater respect after enduring sufferings for many years. God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Jonah repented and preached the Gospel in Nineveh, avoiding God’s wrath to pour on the people. Paul is probably the greatest evangelist we’ve had in this world. But his mission started with persecuting believers in Christ.
We’ve come to the end of Series 1 – Troubles That Come To Us For Doing The Wrong Things
We discovered how we Get Into These Type Of Troubles, How They Affect Us, How To Get Out Of Them and finally, What We Benefit From Confronting Them God’s Way.
It’s evident God wants us to become better persons in our communities and societies. Rebellion can prevent us from being good examples others can emulate. However, God is able to use our Rebellious Actions for His Glory, if and only if, we humble ourselves and let Him accomplish His Will through us.
The afflictions He lets us go through have many benefits we shouldn’t neglect. Paul says, ‘‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose’’ (Romans 8:28).
God is able to use your mistake to take you to the next level. Give Him the chance today and become a blessing to your generation.
In Series 2, we look at Troubles We Get Into For Doing The Right Things
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